I am seriously considering the A300 but need some reassurance that my Sigma 28-200 f3.8 - 5.6 will be suitable.

I will go to Jessops to handle and see for myslef but does anyone have any views?

The lens was great on my Minolta 505si

[Dave]

All minolta af lenses will work on the alphas but not all third party ones.

It's worth testing it first to see if it works or not but if it does it'll be just as good on an alpha as on your old minolta.

[FazerThou]

just take your lens along, they should let you try it to find out.

[Throttle]

Try looking at Minolta Sony alpha lens database - Dyxum.com
its a very good site with user reviews and what lenses will fit

[Pirate!!]

2 Sigma 28-200mm shown:

Sigma*28-200 F3.5-5.6 Compact Aspherical HZM*787-205 lens for Sony Alpha - Minolta camera mount

Sigma*28-200 F3.5-5.6 DG Macro*794-205 lens for Sony Alpha - Minolta camera mount

Neither are the 3.8-5.6 variety. However, the Dynax 505si AF is fully compatible with all A-Mount lenses, so your Sigma lens will work fine on ALL Sony bodies.

Thanks everyone.

Now suitably reassured and will be visiting Jessops tomorrow armed with my lens.

Another point, if I may.

I notice there are two types of memory card for the Sonys - compact flash and memory stick.

Seems odd that there's a choice. Nevertheless, which should I buy?

[Pirate!!]

CF is easiest and cheapest. Sony have a 2 card slots (dual format), so you can have a backup card inserted as well. Try7dayshop.

Up to 8Mb will work fine.

[Ikki]

The A200, A300 and A350 only have one memory card slot.

This takes CF cards but there is a Memory Stick Duo to CF adapter card that allows Memory Stick Duo cards to be used instead. It's better to stay with CF unless you have some Memory Sticks lying around.

Complete noviced to digital SLRs and no Memory sticks lying around.

Went to Jessops yesterday and the lens works fine albeit wasn't aware my 28-200 will become a 41-320,

Seems all the bodies are sold so ordered online, in the queue and looking forward to receiving it and taking some shots. In many ways I'm hoping the frost remains so I can get some nice nature pics.

Thanks everyone for your input.

[Pirate!!]

Your lens is full frame by all accounts, thus on DSLR, will have a 1.5x crop factor multiplying the same. No bad thing, as there are a lot of legacy SLR A-Mount lenses out there. Unless you buy digital, I woldn't worry about it. Just take it into account.

As for memory cards, I just assumed all Sony's had dual card slots